The sixth grade ESM received a Havasi Grant to participate in collaborative workshop between the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains and the Audubon Society. Students traveled to Malibu Lagoon State Beach where they studied Estuary Ecology.
During the first week of May, ESM sixth graders set sail with the Top Sail Program in San Pedro. Students boarded brigantines, 110-foot ships. and the adventure began! Students were not merely passengers on this journey, but crew trainees. They raised and trimmed the sails, stood lookout, steered the course they set, and climbed the rigging to furl sails while balancing on foot ropes. A pod of about 25 dolphins swam up to starboard and continued to swim underneath and then surfaced on the port side of the ship. They were incredibly close, and it was an amazing sight. Plus, there were lots of sea lions and pelicans swimming along with the ship. Students sailed the ships out of San Pedro Harbor into the open ocean. It was a very exciting day!
Los Angeles Environmental Fair: Ms. Williams, Mr. French, and Ms. Gardea, along with several wonderful parents, accompanied several sixth grade students when they exhibited their service learning projects at the 38th Annual L.A. Environmental Fair at the Los Angeles Arboretum. Students presented research on the Los Angeles Watershed and their waste reduction projects.
Underwood Farms Visit: After an in-depth study of sustainable agriculture, 7th grade ESM students visited Underwood Farms. Students were treated to a talk about vegetables, fruits and sustainability at the farm, and were able to pick their own vegetables to take home to prepare for a family meal. Ms Munoz, Ms Altounian, Mr Clifford and Ms Burke joined the students on this memorable day!
Chicken Wing Dissection: Ms. Jones’s science classes have been studying cells. This past week, the class examined how bicep and tricep muscles work by dissecting chicken wings and investigating the muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bone marrow.
